Lucknow: Thousands of BMS workers from various labour segments organised a rally at Kashiram Echo Garden on October 30 and questioned the merger of 44 labour laws into four laws compromising the labour-friendly provisions. Over 30,000 workers from Anganwadi, Asha, agriculture, construction, defence, railways, post, banks, insurance, retired, roadways, electricity, etc joined the rally.
BMS workers at the rally in Lucknow
Addressing the rally, BMS national general secretary Shri Virjesh Upadhyaya said the government is tampering with the labour laws under pressure from the industrialists. He said since the labour officers have stopped visiting the factories, the exploitation of workers has increased manifold. He warned that if the exploitation of the workers was not stopped forthwith, the BMS would be forced to fight against it from street to the Parliament.
North Central Zone organising secretary Shri Pawan Kumar alleged that the government is neglecting the demands of the labourers. He said despite Supreme Court order equal pay for equal work has not been ensured to all the workers. He said contract system is growing in the state and the number of contract workers has crossed over 67 per cent in various departments. These workers are being deprived of the social security benefits. He sought a white paper on how much employment was generated through FDI in recent years. Warning the government against disinvestment in PSUs, he demanded minimum Rs 5000 pension to the EFP contributors connected with dearness allowance.
Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath sent his representative to invite the BMS leaders for meeting. Hence, a ten-member delegation, led by state president Shri Radhekrishna, met the CM and presented an eleven-point charter of demands. The Chief Minister assured the delegation to solve the issues very soon.
